Last year our technology director added an additional robotics program. He created CARL as an outreach opportunity for local schools to participate in the experience of robotics without the time constraints and costs associated with FLL. He asked me if I would be willing to create a simplified research project around a theme he adapted from a previous FLL challenge.
At the conclusion of the season, a tournament was organized to allow each team the opportunity to share their research projects and compete at the table with their robots. I was asked to serve as the research judge.
REFLECTION
I researched various project ideas related to the energy theme. The project I designed was broken into two pieces, the first piece promoted energy awareness and the second piece led to a student creation to share at the concluding CARL tournament. I also created a page of additional resources to support teams as they completed the second part of the project.
I enjoyed seeing the final projects created by the different teams as the research judge. One team created a quilt to display one-hundred ways they found to save energy. I had the opportunity to assist in judging the teamwork activity and interactions. I had never been on the judging side of a robotics tournament before and it was exciting to interact with the students in a different way.
At the conclusion of the season, a tournament was organized to allow each team the opportunity to share their research projects and compete at the table with their robots. I was asked to serve as the research judge.
1. Research Project Design
2. Research Judge - CARL Competition Feb.
REFLECTION
I researched various project ideas related to the energy theme. The project I designed was broken into two pieces, the first piece promoted energy awareness and the second piece led to a student creation to share at the concluding CARL tournament. I also created a page of additional resources to support teams as they completed the second part of the project.
I enjoyed seeing the final projects created by the different teams as the research judge. One team created a quilt to display one-hundred ways they found to save energy. I had the opportunity to assist in judging the teamwork activity and interactions. I had never been on the judging side of a robotics tournament before and it was exciting to interact with the students in a different way.